The organisation that handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis said Wednesday that Germany has agreed to extend another $US720 million to provide home care and supportive services for frail and vulnerable Holocaust survivors.
The New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference, said the money will be distributed to more than 300 social welfare organisations globally.
“We are proud to announce this significant allocation at a time when these funds are critical, due to the age, poverty and increasing disability of our waning survivor population,” said Gideon Taylor, the organisation’s president.
“We know these funds provide vital support during these difficult times,” he added.
The additional funds constitute the largest amount ever allocated for the Claims Conference for welfare services in a single year, the organization said in a statement. It estimates the funds will pay for services for approximately 120,000 impoverished Holocaust survivors.
Since 1952, the German Government has paid about $US90 billion to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis.
The Claims Conference last year distributed $US653 million in grants to hundreds of social service agencies worldwide.
Read the article by Kirsten Grieshaber (Berlin) in Sight Magazine.